ELEANOR CAREY
by Fr Joseph Meagher
I met Momma Carey in 1984 when I first became a parishioner at St Antoninus, and she was part of the welcoming committee when I became pastor of St Antoninus 28 years later. I have been privileged in my life to have known a handful of very holy people, and Momma Carey is clearly on the very top tier of that list.
Eleanor Carey embodied a kind of holiness that was very unassuming, yet she had a profound impact on all the people around her. Her sanctity came at a great price. She knew that that great price was first paid by her Lord Jesus Christ for her out of his intense love for her. Then, many times over, she endured numerous big & small injustices and other sufferings, for love of that One who loved her first.
Eleanor was a woman who was deeply in love with her Lord, and so everything of her life including the incredible strength of spirit she had, flowed from this intimate relationship. Here are a few words I would use to describe her: wise, very wise, humble, very humble, courageous, faithful, loving, patient, tenacious prayer warrior.
She had great courage. Yet, she was humble and patient in the way that she dealt with wrongdoings of others, and patient in waiting upon the Lord for the fulfillment of all of her prayers, especially for her family and for all of us. Thank God those prayers will only increase now as she prepares to come face to face into the Presence of the Lord.
Momma Carey, we will miss you greatly, but we trust that you will be with us in your love and your prayers and the longing you have in your heart to have us with you one day in glory. So, I won’t say goodbye exactly, rather “I’ll see you later,” and in the meantime, “we’ll be talking.”
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in your peace. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!
WHAT IS A MATRIARCH?
by Eileen O'Hara
That is the affectionate title of honor that was often ascribed to our beloved Eleanor Carey. She was a powerful spiritual matriarch for all of us for she embraced all this parish family in her generous heart. She, along with the other ladies of her share group, were & are the pillars of this parish. Those who have gone before her continue to intercede for this little parish on the hill as it was originally known. Eleanor was the heart of that group & in many ways the heart of this parish. She constantly interceded for us all as soon as she was aware of a prayer need of anyone in the parish family. She prayed more people into & back into the faith than anyone I have known. Her prayer was simple & direct. “Father, I pray for those in my family who need Your mercy most.” That was it . Everyday, year after year & the family members can attest to the power of that prayer as many of us can as well. A humble servant, Eleanor rarely complained despite all the physical challenges she faced. She knew what to do with that suffering…OIU…Offered It Up for those who need His mercy most.
The twinkle in her eye & her laugh were infectious & her life will be celebrated for years to come here on earth by her many children & grands & great grands & one can only imagine the celebration that goes on & will go on for all eternity in the Father’s House at the return of such a holy soul. May we do our very best to join her ….for we all know how fleeting time & life here is..
